Chapter 342: Chapter 342: Whoever Pays Is the Boss
The freezer was stacked neatly with steamed buns, dumplings, and even zongzi. Cheng Wenhui closed the fridge and stepped outside to ask Tan You, "What’s for breakfast?"
Tan You replied, "Let’s have steamed buns. Grandpa likes to have porridge and steamed buns in the morning, with a side of dressed cucumber."
Cheng Wenhui silently prepared breakfast, glancing out into the courtyard from time to time. After jumping rope for a bit, Tan You started doing various exercises on a mat. The sight made Cheng Wenhui wince.
Around five-thirty, Wang Hunv returned from the fields. The weather was scorching, so villagers avoided working during the hottest part of the day. Some, like Wang Hunv, would head out before dawn.
Noticing the weeds tucked into the crook of Wang Hunv’s arm, Tan You asked in surprise, "There are still that many weeds?"
Wang Hunv washed her face beside her and said, "Of course there are going to be weeds. Our plot has relatively few. The field next to us is full of them, especially along the border with our land."
"I can’t even stand to look at it. Sometimes I help clear them out a bit. Otherwise, they’d spread all over our field."
Tan You knew who Wang Hunv was talking about. She thought for a moment before saying, "If it’s too tiring, then don’t farm anymore. Let’s lease the land to someone else. I can afford to support you, and you’re getting on in years."
Wang Hunv froze. "If I don’t farm, what will we eat?"
Tan You chuckled. "You think we can’t buy food with money? If we lease out the land, you can just have the tenant pay us with a few hundred pounds of grain each year. That’s more than enough for the three of us."
"As for Mom and Dad’s land, they can do what they want with it."
Tan Deming, who had also woken up, added, "Let’s listen to Tan You. We’ll lease out the plots belonging to the three of us, and just let Tan Lin and his wife handle their own. We can keep a small private plot, and you can plant some assorted grains and beans there."
"We’ll just wait until after this season’s rice is harvested."
Seeing that Wang Hunv was still hesitant, Tan You had to hit her where it hurt. "If you work yourself sick, it’ll just cost us more money. Would you rather spend money to enjoy your life, or spend it on medical bills? You choose."
The mere mention of money made Wang Hunv’s heart ache. "Fine," she conceded. "We’ll let someone else farm it."
Cheng Wenhui watched, a little surprised at how Tan You had persuaded Wang Hunv with just a few words. She didn’t say anything to her mother-in-law. In any case, Wang Hunv would be living with Tan You from now on, and it wasn’t like the two of them had anything to talk about anyway.
Just seeing Wang Hunv reminded Cheng Wenhui of all the abuse she had endured in the past. ’The only reason I don’t just eat her alive is my own self-restraint and civilized upbringing.’
Tan Lin and Tan Yue were up by now, and the family, for once, ate breakfast all together. Afterward, Tan You and Tan Deming went with Cheng Wenhui to the factory so she could report for her first day. Tan Lin decided to tag along and hopped in the car too.
Tan Yue tugged on Tan You’s sleeve, looking up at her with pleading eyes. Tan You sighed in resignation. "Fine, get in. We have a lot to do today anyway."
Wang Hunv wasn’t one for crowds. "You all go on ahead," she said. "I’ll take the opportunity to rest at home."
After accompanying Cheng Wenhui to the clothing factory, getting her checked in, and seeing her to Ding Lan’s office, Tan You’s mission was complete. President Yang walked her out. "Don’t you worry," he said. "I can tell your mom is quick on her feet and a straightforward person."
Tan You smiled, her gaze lowered. "It’s just for today. My classes start in a few days, so I won’t be around."
President Yang smacked his lips. "That’s a real shame. Ah, it would be great if you were graduating and starting work now, wouldn’t it?"
Tan You waved. "Well, I won’t keep you. See you around."
Outside the clothing factory, Tan Lin was chatting animatedly with the elderly security guard. Tan Lin was a true social butterfly who could strike up a conversation with anyone. Consequently, outsiders had a very high opinion of both him and Cheng Wenhui.
Looking at Tan Lin, Tan You’s thoughts drifted to Cheng Wenhui. ’They’re both the type to show their best side to strangers, while their own children only ever get the worst of their moods.’
’And that’s the kind of thing I hate the most.’ She shook her head. ’Forget it. There’s no point thinking about it. I’ve moved on, and dwelling on the past will only put me in a bad mood.’
After taking a moment to compose herself, Tan You lifted Tan Yue into the car. Her eyes fell on the old-model Nokia phone clipped to Tan Lin’s waist, and a thought seemed to cross her mind.
"We’re heading downtown in a bit," she announced. "I’m going to buy you a phone, and then we’re getting two electric scooters."
Tan Lin was taken aback for a second, then his face lit up. "You’re really buying me a phone? Hey, why don’t we just get one scooter? Your mom can use it, and I’ll be fine with my bicycle."
Tan You sighed. "Can’t I buy the other one for myself?"
"Alright, alright. You’re the boss, whatever you say goes," Tan Lin said with a grin. He was a natural when it came to brown-nosing.
Tan Lin’s cheerful grin disarmed her, but it was followed by a twinge of bitterness. ’I don’t mind spending money on Tan Lin and Cheng Wenhui,’ she thought. ’But if they take my money and still try to pull rank as my parents, I won’t be nearly so accommodating.’
At least for now, it seemed Tan Lin knew how to be flexible.
In a phone store downtown, Tan You’s heart ached a little as she watched Tan Lin stare longingly at the latest models, only to ultimately choose one that cost just over a thousand yuan. He might talk a big game about wanting the best, but frugality was ingrained in his bones.
He couldn’t bear the expense, even when it wasn’t his own money.
Tan You shot the salesperson a look. "We’ll take that one," she said, pointing to the high-end model. "One in black and one in white. Go ahead and ring them up."
The salesperson blinked, then their face lit up. "Of course! I’ll get the invoice ready for you right away!"
Tan Lin was grinning from ear to ear, but he couldn’t hide how much the price pained him. "Isn’t this a bit too expensive? And why are we buying two?"
"So, Mom doesn’t deserve a nice phone?" Tan You rolled her eyes. "I’m being fair. I don’t play favorites."
Tan Lin chuckled happily, but the cost still stung.
They took a spin around the city center with Tan Lin and Tan Yue, then went back to their town to pick out two electric scooters. By the time they were done, it was already noon. Tan Lin gripped the handlebars of his new scooter, his face beaming with excitement. "Tan Yue," he called out, "want to be the first one to ride with me?"
WHOOSH. Tan Yue zipped onto the footboard of Tan You’s scooter. "Nope! I want my sister to give me a ride!"
Tan Lin pouted, but he was still in an excellent mood. ’In his whole life, ever since he’d dropped out of school, no one had ever spent money on him. Who would’ve thought his own young daughter would buy him a phone, an electric scooter, and even take him to look at houses just now? How did life get so good?’
Seeing Tan Lin looking so smug his eyebrows were about to take flight, Tan You said coolly, "When the villagers ask about all this, you know what to say, right?"
"I know, of course I know." Tan Lin wasn’t so carried away that he’d forget. "I’ll just say that your mom and I aren’t going to City C anymore, and since we’re all staying here, of course we’re going to need this stuff."
"I definitely won’t bring you into it."
Tan You’s lips curled into a slight smile. "That would be best."
"Oh, right," she added. "My editor wants to have a talk tonight..."
"Don’t you worry!" Tan Lin puffed out his chest and promised. "Your mom and I will make sure to treat your guest properly. We absolutely won’t embarrass you!" He might be a bit of a rogue, but he understood one thing very clearly: whoever pays the bills is the boss.
Tan You didn’t mind dangling a little carrot. "Treat them well," she said, "and we’ll have that house very soon."
